William Kilburn.

From The Dublin Penny Journal,
Volume 1, Number 23, December 1, 1832.

William Kilburn was born in Capel-street, Dublin, 1st November, 1745.
He was the only son of Samuel Kilburn, an architect of some eminence,
and very early exhibited a taste for drawing. This, and the wish to
have him in the country, as his health appeared delicate, induced his
parents to place him apprentice with Mr. Jonathan Sisson, an
Englishman, who had established a calico printing factory at Leixlip.
Here he quickly learned the different branches of this ingenious art,
but attached himself to drawing and engraving. Few lives are more
marked than his with unceasing industry and application; in summer he
rose at four, and occupied his leisure hours in drawing patterns for
paper stainers, which, with his master's leave, he sold; the produce
gave him pocket money, and enabled him to purchase a pony, on which he
rode to Dublin on Saturdays, and passed every Sunday with his parents.
He had acquired an amazing readiness with his pencil, so that if a new
pattern caught his eye, he would take out his pocket-book, and have it
for his master at his return. At the expiration of his apprenticeship,
he found himself alone, with his mother and sister. His father, who had
speculated largely in building, became embarrassed in his
circumstances, and died. This probably determined him to visit London,
the great mart for talent; here he obtained a ready sale for his
designs amongst the calico printers. He also drew and engraved flowers
from nature for the print shops; this led to his acquaintance with Mr.
William Curtis, the botanist, who, deeming himself fortunate in meeting
an artist of such uncommon talent, agreed with him to execute the
plates for his great work, the Flora Londinensis. When he had entered
into this engagement, he returned to Ireland, brought over his mother
and sister, took a small house in Bermondsey with a garden and
green-house, and there occupied himself from sunrise to sunset in
drawing and engraving the plants for that work, which reflects so much
credit on English science.

When he had finished, he accepted a proposal from Mr. Newton, to
undertake the management of a calico printing factory, at Wallington,
for which he was to have a share in the profits without advancing
capital. They were so successful that, at the end of seven years, he
purchased the concern, and became sole proprietor. He now rose rapidly
in wealth, and was soon the most eminent calico printer in England,
having brought the art to a pitch of perfection never since equalled.
He gave the highest wages to his workmen, some of whom came from the
continent, and gave annual premiums for the best designs. His pieces of
muslin chintzes sold for a guinea per yard, and he had the honour of
presenting one of them, the sea-weed pattern, designed by himself, to
her Majesty Queen Charlotte. Finding that his patterns were pirated in
Manchester, he applied for a bill, which was brought into Parliament by
his countryman and neighbour, the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, "To
secure to calico printers the copyright in original designs."

Mr. Kilburn married the eldest daughter of Thos. Brown, Esq., an East
India Director, a most amiable woman, who survives him, and by whom he
had several children. In the relative duties of son and brother,
husband and father, his conduct was most exemplary, as a true believing
Christian moral man. Though he had been a delicate child, he enjoyed
excellent health, till a few months before his death, when feeling
indisposed, he repaired to Brighton, and not getting better he returned
to Wallington, and calmly resigned his soul to his Maker, 23d December,
1818, in the 73d year of his age. The poor inhabitants of the
neighbourhood, by whom he was much lamented, followed him bareheaded to
the grave.

Mr. Kilburn was above six feet in height, thin, but well proportioned,
and perfectly straight to the last. The pencil, in his long fingers,
appeared scarcely to touch the paper when drawing, so much had he
acquired of grace and freedom. The flowers that he engraved about the
time he became acquainted with Mr. Curtis, are now sought for by
connoisseurs, being so true to nature; and I have before me his
engraving of a dead canary on a marble slab, which, even in this
advanced stage of the arts, would rival many of the bijoux that adorn
our modern annuals. Being most domestic in his habits, and constantly
occupied, he was never able to visit Ireland after he had settled at
Wallington; but every Irishman that was introduced, found am hospitable
reception at his table. He prided in his country, of which he may be
justly said to have been an ornament.

I. H.

﻿

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